Cricket: Watts calls for Carlton to keep up good work

"It's been a tremendous week for Carlton including when we hit 304-5 to beat West in Glasgow," said Watts, adding: "We now go for three wins in a row and part of that success stems from knowing there are plenty of players pushing for promotion including Ani Matundar who hit 140 not out for the seconds last week."

Carlton lose spinner Ross Lyons to the Saltires and batsman Bryn Lockie is also unavailable.

However, Omar Ahmed and Peter Deakin, who finished last season with a league average of 133, albeit from just two innings, are experienced replacements to join a squad that has a string of batsmen in top form.

Watts himself top scored with 77 and Steve Gilmour was unbeaten on 66 with the ever-reliable Cedric English contributing 46.

However, it was wicket-keeper/bat Jamie Kerr that earned special mention from Watts.

Referring to the vacuum created behind the stumps by Colin Smith's retirement, Watts said: "With the Scottish wicket-keeping position far from settled at the moment Jamie Kerr has got to be in with a shout. Also, coming in at No.6 or No.7 Jamie definitely shores up our middle order."

It is on the bowling front that Carlton look slightly more vulnerable, although Watts has high hopes for young Stephen Elder, who is expected to open with English, leaving overseas amateur Blake Dean and Omar Ahmed to come on as first change.

"We've started to climb the table after a shaky start but there is no question of taking anything for granted against Dunfermline," said Watts.

"The fact they are lying second in the table with just one defeat after getting promotion is no surprise given the quality in their ranks and they were always more likely to be pushing for the title than fighting the drop."

Indeed, Dunfermline look particularly strong in the bowling attack, especially Safyaan Sharif who took five wickets when helping to defeat Forfarshire last week.

Captain Gowtham Rai (58) and club professional Ally Gray (53) are also men in form.

Elsewhere, Watsonians are without their skipper, Steve Paige, for the trip to Greenock where New Zealand professional Tim Weston will take the reins fresh from his maiden club century. Ewan Chalmers returns from university exams while there is a recall for George Cairns after hitting an unbeaten 161 for the seconds last week.

Leaders Grange put their unbeaten record on the line at home to McCrea FS West and skipper Sanjay Patel is warning against complacency since the visitors are without Dougie Lockhart and Gordon Goudie on Saltires duty.

Grange too are understrength thanks to Gregor Maiden's call-up and Patel feels it is well deserved. "Gregor is showing a lot more maturity this season and look for him contributing a lot of experienced and stability to the middle order at Hampshire (Sunday) and Kent (Monday)."

One concern for Grange is the back injury sustained playing for Scotland A that is likely to deprive them of keeper Simon Smith. With Maiden the regular deputy that means a call-up for youngster Henry Edwards on a day when former Warwickshire batsman Michael Powell is free from coaching duties at Loretto School and turns out.

In Division One something will have to give at Goldenacre where Heriot's and Stirling County both put their 100 per cent records on the line.

Recalled for Heriot's is former skipper Anthony Edington, while captain Steve Knox has a late fitness test on the badly bruised thumb which caused him to miss the last couple of games. Toby Harwick stands by.

Both Imans Edinburgh and RH Corstorphine are at home in Division Two against, respectively, Freuchie and Renfrew while SMRH travel to Weirs.